A lonely doll helps a child adjust to a blended family in the first of a charming series about library toys and the children who borrow them, written by Newbery Honoree Cynthia Lord. Ivy was Anne the librarian’s doll when she was a young girl. But now she has moved to Anne’s library to be its newest Book Buddy—a toy that can be checked out just like a book. Ivy isn’t sure she wants to be borrowed, though. She’d rather go back to just being Anne’s favorite toy. Fern, a child who visits the library with her stepfamily, also wishes things could go back to the way they were, when Fern had her dad all to herself. When Fern takes Ivy home, an unexpected outdoor adventure helps both of them find confidence and belonging in their changing worlds. This heartwarming story by Cynthia Lord, with a classic feel and gentle illustrations by Stephanie Graegin, is the first in a chapter-book series that pairs friendly toys with child characters who need them. An engaging story of insecurity overcome by hope, courage, and love. . . the simply written narrative and the pleasing artwork convey heartfelt emotions with honesty and subtlety . —Booklist (starred review) In this series opener, a long-forgotten doll is dismayed to find herself repurposed as a library toy for children to check out. . . . Like the story, the charmingly retro illustrations honor the genre’s antecedents, from Rumer Godden’s sentient dolls to the Toy Story franchise. . . . A beguiling series opener that gently conveys the upside of adapting to unwelcome changes. —Kirkus Reviews B&w sketchlike illustrations in Graegin’s signature style lighten the tone of a story that touches on fears of loss and abandonment. Humorous, lively conversations between the Book Buddies. . . offer the promise of happy borrowings ahead . —Publishers Weekly Cynthia Lord is the author of award-winning middle-grade fiction titles such as the Newbery Honor book Rules , as well as Touch Blue , Half a Chance , A Handful of Stars , and Because of the Rabbit . She is also the author of the Hot Rod Hamster picture book and early reader series as well as the Shelter Pet Squad chapter book series. Cynthia Lord lives in Maine. Stephanie Graegin is the author-illustrator of Little Fox in the Forest and the illustrator of many other picture books, including You Were the First by Patricia MacLachlan and Water in the Park by Emily Jenkins. Stephanie Graegin lives in Brooklyn. CHAPTER ONE Ivy Ivy’s first memory was the birthday party.    There was music and bright balloons. A girl’s face lit up with joy.    “A doll!” Anne had cried. She cut the strings and untwisted the ties that held Ivy in her store box. “I’ll name you Ivy,” Anne whispered into Ivy’s dark braids.    After that, it was always the two of them: Ivy and Anne.    On warm summer days, Anne played with Ivy outside in the garden. Ivy’s tiny blue boots left footprints in the mud.    On gray, rainy afternoons, Anne made new clothes for Ivy. She stitched soft dresses and pants from scraps of fabric and lace. She made belts from string and rubber bands. She knit sweaters from leftover bits of yarn. Ivy loved them all.    On icy winter nights, snow fell outside the windows. Anne tucked Ivy into blankets and read fairy tales to her. Ivy’s favorite part was always “happily ever after.”    And every night before she fell asleep, Anne whispered her most secret worries and hopes to Ivy. Ivy always listened.    She never imagined it could change.    As Anne grew up, trips to the garden stopped. Ivy’s tiny blue boots stayed clean.    She wore the same white pants and gray sweater for years.    On icy winter nights, Ivy stayed on the shelf. She watched snow fall outside the window while Anne slept.   Missing someone hurt s, Ivy thought. This is how it feels to be forgotten.    Then one day Ivy was brought to the attic. She was placed in a box with some old clothes.    Ivy went to sleep. Memories came and went, like dreams. Over and over, Ivy remembered the birthday party, the trips to the garden, new clothes, and icy nights, tucked in blankets.    Until one day . . .    The box opened again.    Anne’s eyes were older now, but they lit up with joy.    “Ivy!” she cried. “I remember you.”   CHAPTER TWO The Library Ivy peeked out of Anne’s tote bag. Everything was very bright after the dark box. There was so much to see!    There were books on long shelves, in bins, and on bookcases. Shiny posters were on the walls.    There was even a shelf of stuffed animals and toys with a sign: book buddies.    Ivy had never seen so many children. Some played games. Some did puzzles at little tables. Others sat in beanbags, listening to their parents read.    “Welcome to the library,” Anne called to everyone. “Story time will start in five minutes. Today I’m reading books about bears. Get ready to growl!”    Anne carried Ivy to the Book Buddies shelf. A little girl with pigtails and overalls was patting the toy unic